A coalition of attorneys general from across the country and Illinois are pushing for automakers Hyundai and Kia to issue a safety recall after a hidden security flaw inside millions of their vehicles was exposed online last year, leading to an explosion of thefts, accidents and deaths.
NBC 5 Responds has been covering the issue closely, as Chicago is among the many U.S. cities that have seen Hyundai and Kia vehicle thefts skyrocket.
Standing in front of several Hyundai and Kia vehicles, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said Thursday that it’s telling that the anti-theft technology that was not included in cars made in the U.S., was included in cars made abroad. Auto safety experts have pointed to the fact that the Hyundai and Kia models vulnerable to theft lack a device called a standard engine immobilizer, which prevents a car from starting without the key present, and as a result, thieves can start and steal these cars easily, in some cases using just a USB cord.
A potential solution is on its way for millions of Hyundai and Kia drivers whose vehicles are more vulnerable to theft, but safety advocates believe the free fix may have come too late and doesn’t go far enough. Lexi Sutter has the story.“Hyundai and Kia have left us with no choice but to call on the federal government to either order a mandatory recall or work with the companies to institute a voluntary recall,” Bonta said.
Hyundai and Kia say in response to the thefts, they have now offered a free software-upgrade to owners of vehicles with this security flaw that they believe will fix the problem.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
California AG, other states seek recall over Hyundai and Kia thefts - AutoblogCalifornia's attorney general, with other states, seeks a federal recall of Hyundai and Kia cars lacking key features that make them a target of thefts.
Read more »
Thefts prompt 17 states to urge recall of Kia, Hyundai carsVideos circulating on the social media service TikTok have shown how people can start Kia and Hyundai models by using only a screwdriver and a USB cable.
Read more »
Thefts prompt 17 states to urge recall of Kia, Hyundai carsIn Los Angeles, thefts of Hyundai and Kia cars increased by about 85% in 2022, now accounting for 20% of all car thefts in the city, according to the California attorney general’s office.
Read more »
Thefts prompt 17 states to urge recall of Kia, Hyundai carsAttorneys general in 17 states on Thursday urged the federal government to recall millions of Kia and Hyundai cars because they are too easy to steal. abc15
Read more »
Thefts prompt 17 states to urge recall of Kia, Hyundai carsAttorneys general in 17 states, including Colorado, want the federal government to recall millions of Kia and Hyundai cars because they are too easy to steal.
Read more »
Thefts prompt 17 states to urge recall of Kia, Hyundai carsVideos circulating on the social media service TikTok have shown how people can start Kia and Hyundai models by using only a screwdriver and a USB cable.
Read more »